"I know it, and I've an errand I've got to do first," said Cateye, "But
let me give you the rest of this postscript before I beat it. Bob goes
on to give his brother a boost by saying: 'Judd's in great physical
trim already. You should see him tackle three hundred pound hogs out
here on the farm and throw 'em...'"
A howl at this.
"Better keep out of his way, Benz!" warned Curns, "You don't weigh that
much but how you eat...!"
Benz made a move in Curns' direction, Curns retreating.
"Let me finish!" pleaded Cateye, "I'm in a big hurry, guys."
"Shoot!"
"Sure! Go ahead!"
"'... and, with Coach Phillips to instruct him on kicking, just watch
Judd boot that old pigskin'." concluded Cateye. "How's that for a real
send-off?"
Benz whistled, "Looks to me," he laughed, "Like Bob's trying to insure
his brother getting a great reception by doing a rave about him. He's
got my curiosity aroused at that. I'd like to look the boy over. What
do you say, fellows, we all meet Judd at the train?"
The suggestion was made impulsively and received just as impulsive a
seconding.
"Good idea!"
"Give Judd a grand welcoming for Bob!"
"Make him feel at home!"
"All right," agreed Cateye, "Meet you at the train then." And he was
off about his business.
The afternoon train, packed with merry students returning to Bartlett
after a long summer's vacation, puffed slowly and with apparent
weariness up the slight grade and came to a stop not more than a block
from the college. Although Bartlett was some three miles from anything
which resembled a town it happened to be located near a railroad and
the company, on special occasions, had conferred a favor upon the
students by stopping at the college, thus saving numerous
transportation bills.
As the train pulled in, some fifteen or twenty students, led by Benz
Hoffmaster, pushed to the front of the platform and peered eagerly
through the passing windows, hoping to catch sight of the youth
pictured in Bob's letter. Cateye, as yet, had not put in an
appearance. He would have been of no help as to identification,
however, for none in Bartlett had ever seen this expected new arrival.
But it was likely that Judd, in some manner, would betray his identity.
Returning students, piling from the coaches, were swallowed up by
awaiting friends and roommates who swarmed about them, amid much
backslapping and handshaking. Everyone was glad to see everyone else
back. The confusion was such that the group on the look-out for a
strange face and a someone to whom the surroundings were obviously new,
about reached the conclusion that one Judd Billings had escaped their
notice.
"Or maybe he got so homesick he jumped off the train and's walking back
to the farm," suggested Benz.
At this instant attention was drawn to the last occupant of the last
coach who stumbled awkwardly off the car platform and looked dazedly
about.
"There he is!" went up the shout.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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